The great drive-in adventure

by ian van anden
Asst. Sports Editor

When going on a date in the greater Monmouth area there are not too many options. So in a spurt of genius I discovered the Galesburg Drive-In movie theater. On a recent Sunday night my girlfriend and I made the quick drive up to Galesburg to watch Tim Burton’s “Corpse Bride” and “Must Love Dogs.” What do you know? The re-installment of double features, how exciting!!!!

Not only was I the first car to arrive but the only car in the entire drive-in. Now, on a Sunday evening this is understandable. For me, it was exhilarating, my girlfriend and I alone at the movies a very romantic date. Now don’t get the wrong idea, but being the only car meant that the proprietors of the drive-in treated us like royalty.

For the two of us it costs about $6.00. At the drive-in there is the low price of $7.00 for two movies. The savings are not in the tickets though! The savings reside in concessions. Not only are concessions cheap at the Galesburg Drive-in, but you can even bring in your own food, a very nice option.

Beyond the cost and peripherals of going to a drive-in what really matter is the experience that one gets at the newly opened Galesburg drive-in. There is really no date like going to a drive-in. A staple in the ‘50s date scene has had a small revival across the country.

Now us lucky few at Monmouth College have the availability of going to view some the new movies on the country’s largest single screen. Yes, that is right, according to the owners of the drive in there aren’t any other drive-ins remaining like the one we have in Galesburg. The screen is a specially designed one that has outlasted any others like it.

The bad news here is that when the cold sets in the time for closing will too. The owners say that there simply is not enough business this time of year. They also say that if enough people are interested that they will stay open for movie events like say the new “Harry Potter” movie, or “Zorro,” “Chicken Little,” and even “Jarhead.” They are extremely excited about re-opening of their Galesburg Drive-in.

So round up some of your amigos soon and go catch one of the last movies of the year at Galesburg’s best possible venue. If you are unwilling to overcome the cool weather wait until the spring when they will be reopening.

The Galesburg Drive-In provides an amazing atmosphere for a date or even hanging out with a group of friends. This unique and historic venue should not be overlooked in your future weekend plans.